Yearly Archives: 2017

Professional Learning Communities driving effective instruction at Worthing HS 

Before Worthing High School teacher Mike Judge sits down and begins to map out a classroom lesson for his students, he meets first with a group of teachers and administrators from his campus to examine data, collaborate and share expertise. The group meeting is called a PLC or a Professional Learning Community.

“Our PLCs are the foundation of effective teaching here at Worthing,” Principal Khalilah Campbell told HISD trustees at a board presentation Dec. 5. “When we sat down as a team and really examined our campus data to determine the root cause of our school’s struggles, it became clear to us that is was planning.”

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HISD thanks Houston Fire Department for sacrifices during and after Harvey

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, HISD students had the opportunity to thank Houston firefighters by creating gifts of art that reflect the heroism of their work.

Michelle Hernandez, a student at East Early College High School, created artwork portraying a firefighter whose shadow turns into a figure wearing a cape. “We might see a firefighter, but we all know they are all heroes,” said Hernandez.

HISD thanked firefighters during November’s College & Career Ready Day at Austin High School, where Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña reflected on the sacrifices made by the city’s firefighters during and after the storm.

“The men and women in our department responded admirably,” said Peña. “Some of these individuals were out there working two, three, four days straight.”

HISD District VIII Trustee Diana Dávila said first responders played a key role in getting Houston schools ready to welcome students back to the classroom — and back to a sense of normalcy — after Harvey.  “While everybody else was trying to get their lives together and get their homes together, our first responders had to go back and work,” said Dávila. “It’s these people that rally together and help make it all possible.”

Watch the video above for a look at how HISD said thank you to the men and women of the Houston Fire Department.

 

Pop Up Shop for Harvey-impacted families canceled; will be rescheduled after holidays

Sunday’s Pop Up Shop for families impacted by Hurricane Harvey has been canceled.

The Pop Up Shop was previously scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, at Butler Stadium. An alternative time and date  for the Pop Up Shop is pending for after the holidays, and HISD will broadcast that information as soon as it becomes available.

 

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AIG donates $100,000 to HISD Foundation for Harvey relief efforts

At the November HISD Board of Education meeting, representatives from American International Group (AIG) presented a donation of $100,000 to the HISD Foundation for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

“The American International Group (AIG) has historically been a strong and generous supporter of the Houston community,” Board of Education President Wanda Adams said during the meeting. “That has been especially true in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.” Continue reading →

Third annual Dream Summit draws record crowd with college, financial aid resources 

HISD’s third annual Dream Summit, held Saturday at Hattie Mae White, drew more than 200 students eager to collect resources and information about college applications and financial aid – about double the attendance over last year.

The HISD Office of College and Career Readiness and Multilingual Programs event is held each year to offer assistance to HISD DREAMers, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, visa holders, permanent residents, refugees, and asylum grantees, along with their families.

Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual Programs Gracie Guerrero said the goal of the event is twofold.

“It shows students who may think that they have no options to pursue anything beyond high school that there are specific resources for them. And it also brings together resources that we have in the district in one place to make it accessible,” Guerrero said. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider plan to rebuild four Harvey-damaged schools

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education during its December meeting on Thursday will consider a plan to rebuild four elementary schools that sustained the most severe flood damage as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, in the Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St. Click here to view the full agenda.

Facilities assessments of the four elementary schools  — Braeburn, Scarborough, Kolter, and Mitchell — found significant property damage, as well as a strong need to raise the elevation of the buildings to prevent potential future flood damage. Continue reading →

More than 2,500 elementary students to step into the holidays with new kicks in East End

Students in Houston’s East End will get brand-new shoes in time for the holidays, thanks to the Navigation Area Business Association’s annual Shoes for Kids donation.

The event will take place Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 at 6  p.m. inside the gym and cafeteria at Austin High School (1700 Dumble, Houston 77023).

For the 30th year, NABA will donate more than 2,500 pairs of shoes to students from 10 HISD elementary schools: Burnet, Carillo, DeZavala, Franklin, Gallegos, J.R. Harris, J.P. Henderson, Lantrip, Page, and Tijerina. Continue reading →

Microsoft partners with HISD on Coding Bash at HMW

Hundreds of HISD employees participated in a Coding Bash and Technology Showcase at Hattie Mae White Education Support Center on Friday, Dec. 8, in support of Computer Science Education Week.

Microsoft and HISD’s Advanced Academics Department partnered on the event, which demonstrated the importance of coding as a way to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. The district is leading by example to show students, teachers, and staff members that coding impacts everyone.

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Eastwood Academy and Austin HS learn about college readiness from UHD president

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Students attend forums to learn about post-high school options

University of Houston-Downtown President Juan Munoz on Thursday visited with upperclassmen at Austin High School and Eastwood Academy, discussing the limitless opportunities of higher education – and bringing some exciting news to a few seniors.

Located less than five miles from UHD and only a six-minute walk between the two high school campuses, both Eastwood Academy and Austin High School are represented by HISD District VIII Board of Trustee Diana Davila, who joined Munoz on the college-readiness tour.

“It’s important for HISD to have forums like today that introduce another college option and allows for our students to interact with the decision-makers of a university,” Davila said. “Hopefully today, the students realize that there are people who care and are working hard to provide resources they need as they continue their education beyond high school.”  Continue reading →